Program Description

The BFA program in acting takes full advantage of the resources provided by Drama Department faculty, the University, and the Department’s relationship with Syracuse Stage in order to provide emerging professional theater artists with rigorous training in performance technique, text analysis, voice, speech and actor movement. Students are immediately immersed in a program of pre-professional study in their first year, devoting as many as 18 hours of class time per week to various theater arts. Students who are interested in directing and playwriting may elect to take additional courses in these areas under drama support requirements. All students are required to take coursework in writing.

Although first-year students are not permitted to perform on stage for the public, they work on productions behind the scenes in a wide variety of jobs, ranging from running crews to assistant stage managing. From the second year on, students may audition for roles in: faculty-directed productions and scenes and plays directed by students; films produced by undergraduate and graduate film students; and productions outside the department, including Syracuse Stage productions in appropriate roles or as understudies where union rules permit the use of non-Equity actors. Equity points may be earned through work with Syracuse Stage.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to analyze dramatic texts for the purpose of making informed choices in rehearsal about the character, story and interpretation.

Students will demonstrate the ability to spontaneously affect and be affected by the behavior of their scene partner(s) within a specific set of imaginary circumstances.

Students will demonstrate the physical expression appropriate to the given form and imaginary circumstances in at least three (3) different genres of dramatic material.

Students will demonstrate the vocal expression appropriate to the given form and imaginary circumstances in at least three (3) different genres of dramatic material.

Students will be able to creatively synthesize the use of the body, voice, text and emotional truth in performance.

Students will demonstrate the ability to participate in collaborative artistic endeavors to a professional standard.

Academic Requirements: 6 credits

Academic Electives: 24 credits

Academic electives are courses that involve critical thinking and theoretical understanding as opposed to practical application, mostly in the Liberal Arts. These academic courses usually have non-art-related content, such as math, natural sciences, astronomy, global history, political science, psychology, entrepreneurship, and languages, among others. You can find a comprehensive list of approved academic electives here. A maximum of 9 credits out of 24 can be from the department of drama.

Drama Electives: 18 credits

Drama electives (also known as drama support) are courses that are not required specifically for the student’s program of study, but which are meant to enhance their understanding of their major field or their overall undergraduate experience.

NOTE: Students may only receive credit for a combined total of 12 credits from Independent Study or Experience Credit courses